Hokseshoe-nail machine



iiNiTEn sTATEs PATENT oEEicE.

SILAS S. PUTNAM, OF DORGHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

HORSESHOE-NAIL MIAGHINIEI.l

`Speccatioi'i ofLetters Patent No. 32,531, dated June 11, 1861.

iinachine having `my improvements attached; Fig. 2, a partial longitudinal sect-ion on;

the line aaa/1, of Fig. l; Fig. 3, a partial horizontal section on the line y, y, of Fig. l; Fig. l, a partial vertical section on the hne a, s,

of Fig. 2; Fig. 'shows a modification of` my plan of operating the hammers.

The `first part of my invention has for its object to cause the different hammers `of each pair to strike i simultaneously `and with equal force around a central line and consists `in connecting the two hammers rof each pair to a single `lever .or cross head, towhich the power that actuates them is applied, and my invention also consists in certain `details which will be more fully described hereafter.

That `others skilled in the art :may understand and use my `invention I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried out the saine.

In the said drawings A is thebed `of the machine, supported on legs a. From this bed near one end, rise two standards B, which serve as bearings for a horizontal shaft C, which carries two double cams Z) near its middle, `a driving pulley D at one end, by which the machine is operated from any suitable power, and at its other end a fly wheelE, and an eccentric c which operatesl a connection rod F, whose oiiice will be presently explained. Below the shaft C is `another shorter shaft cl, which serves as a fulcrum for two levers Gr and H 4which are `vibrated by the two cams t, twice at each revolution of the shaft C, the cams striking the upper ends of these levers; their lower ends projecting downl through an opening in the bed A, as shown in Fig. 2, where a connecting rod I is pivoted at e to a lever p, which is `hung onthe shaft d, while the end of the rod or ayoke o, projecting therefrom bears against the ends of the levers G and H, so that as this rod is moved longitudinally in the direction of the arrow 11, it will vibrate thetwo levers Gr` andI-I far enough to carry their upper ends `clearof the paths of the two cams l).

Immediately in front ofthe shaft C, an attached by screws 3 to the tops of the standards B, are two cross braces K, through which play two stout rods f, lg, each of which is embraced by a spiral spring 1c which bears against a collar z', `attached by a screw 4 to the rod, and against a double nut ft, which screws into the cross `brace K, as shown in Fig. 3. By turning the outerone `of these nuts the force of the spring may be regulated. These springs tend to throw the rods f and g in `the direction Vof the arrows 2, while the levers G and H which bear against the ends of these rods serve when vibrated either by the cams or by the rods z', -to

1drive the rods in the opposite direction that is two horizontal 'ones mand two vertical ones a, in each of which is placed the helve of one o f the hammers Mor N, which vibrate on pivots 5 passing through the frame L. These' hammers are arranged in zpairs, `and each `pair `is operated alternately in the following manner. A cross head g attached `at themiddle of its length to-the rod g has attached to it at each `endl an eye bolt rwhich screws into `the cross head. To each of 'these eye bolts is pivoted at 6 a connecting rod s, the other end of which is pivoted at 7 to the helve of one of the hammers M between its head and its pivot 5, so that when the rod g is thrown by its spring 7c in the direction of its arrow 2 the faces of the two hammers M are brought together with a quick blow. By turning the eye bolts r 2 before the rods s are connected with them, the throw of these two hammers maybe regulated so that their faces will strike` together in a vertical plane passing through thecenter `of the frame' L or the center of the machine, the faces `of the hammers being dressed true to this plane. Inthe same manner another cross h'ead t is attached in a vertical position to the rod f. This head has attached to it, `eye bolts u andconnecting rods o which are eachipivotedat 8 tothe helve of one ofthe hammers N. These hammers are adjusted by the screw bolts a `so that their faces shall meet in the horizontal plane in which the hammers `M play. The f lll 0 rod f being placed at a lower level than the rod g, allows the head t to play beneath the head g.

I will now describe the mechanism by which the nail rod is held until the nail has been formed by the hammers M and N when the hammers are caught and held distended (without stopping the revolutions of the cam shaft C,) until the nail rod has been carried to one side and the nail cut ofi", the nail rod is again returned to its central position and a fresh portion of it is fed'up against a gage which has been thrown up between the hammers and which is again removed before the hammers are permitted to renew the operation of forging another nail.

A heavy stanchion O, rising from the bed A, lies transversely of the machine immediately in front of the hammers M and N. It has at its upper side a slot a in which plays laterally the funnel shaped end or nozzle of a lever P, which carries the nail rod b which projects beyond the end of the lever through a hole made to receive it, and

. is held down to this lever by a cam lever c pivoted to a short standard el rising from the lever P. This lever P is hinged at 9 to a block a which turns freely in the head of a pillar Q which rises from the bed A.

This permits both vertical and horizontal vibrations of the lever P, which are necessary as the slot a in which the end lof this lever moves, is somewhat inclined. Two standards R rising from the bed A serve as bearings for a horizontal shaft T, to which is secured a collar f from which rises a pin carrying a friction roll g which moves in contact with the curved or cam shaped side 10 of the lever P, so that as the shaft T is turned a portion of a revolution, in the direction of the arrow 3, the roll g by bearing against the side of the lever P, will vibrate it in the direction ofthe arrow 4 and carry its free end over to one side of the center of the machine. A partial revolution is given to the shaft T, in a manner which will be presently explained.

A shaft V has its bearings in two brackets 7c", which project from the leg a beneath the bed A. To this shaft is attached a sleeve A2 (Fig. 4) from which project two arms m2 and u set at right angles to each other; t-he arm m2 shown in red Fig. 4 strikes the end of the rod T. The'arm u has pivoted to it at 17 a pitman Q1, which passes up through an opening in the bed A, and is pivot-ed at 18 to an arm fw which projects from a collar B2 (Fig. 4) attached to the shaft T, so that as the shaft- V is rocked, a corresponding motion is given to the shaft T. The shaft V also has on it a sleeve C2 (Fig. 4) which is free to turn on it, and to which are attached two arms i Z (Fig. 2) set at right angles to each other. The shaft T has on it a loose sleeve D2 from which projects an arm S, to which is pivoted at 11 a pitman /tthe other end of which is pivoted at 12 to the arm z". To vthe arm Z is pivoted at 13 the connection rod I.

A crank m on the outer end of the shaft U has projecting from its inner face a pin 14 which is caught in a notch 15 in the end of the connection rod F, which as before stated is moved to and fro by the eccentric c on the shaft C. The rod F is raised to engage with the pin 14 in the following manner. A rock shaft V, which has its bearings in brackets g pendent from the underside of the bed A, has a hand lever WV secured to it, which rises through an opening in the bed A. There is also attached to its outer end a curved arm n on which rests a pin 0 projecting from the inner side of the rod F. The rod being drawn down toward this arm by a spring 79 attached to the leg a. As the hand lever )V is drawn in the direction of the arrow 5 or toward the operator who stands at this end of the machine, the shaft V, is rocked and the arm 'n' raises the end of the rod F so that the notch 15 embraces the pin 14, and as the shaft C revolves in the direction of the arrow 6, the shaft U is rocked and through the connections a o w the same motion is given to the shaft T. The shaft V also serves as a fulcrum for a bent lever r, which turns freely on it, and one end of which is drawn up toward the bed -A by a spring S, and the other end of which rests on the top of the arm Z until the revolution of the shaft U in the direction of the arrow 7 allows this end of the lever r to drop into a notch 16 in the end of the arm Z; this prevents the return of the rod I in a direction counter to the arrow 1 and holds the hammers open as before explained, until the lever a" is raised from the notch 16 by the operator, who vibrates this lever by applying his foot to a loop in a rod t attached to the outer end of the lever, as shown in Fig. 2, drawing it down against the resistance of the spring s.

To the arm w on the shaft T is pivoted at 18 a connecting rod w the other en'd of which is pivoted at 19 to a` heavy lever X. This lever is pivoted at 2O to a standard Y, rising from the bed A, (this standard and one of the standards R are braced together), and carries at its outer end a cutter y which as the lever X descends, cuts oif the finished nail, which has been carried by the vibration of the lever P over an anvil o r stationary cutter a attached to the stanchion O.

As it is requisite that the cutting'edge of cutter y should strike close in line with the edge of the anvil and it has to be often removed for grinding, I have adopted the following plan of readily adjusting it in position on the end of the lever X. A block or head a2 to which thecut-ter y is secured by screws 21`-is pivoted at 22 to the end of the lever X. A `curved block b2 is attached to the top of the lever X immediately over the head a2 and has two set screws 23 passing through it, and bearing on the top of the head a2, so that by turning these screws, the angle at which the cutter y is set to the lever X may be varied and a nice adjustment be had. `A striker c2 is attached in front of the cutter y by the screws 21, its office is to strikethe nail as it is cut off and throw it down and out of the machine. To more effectually secure this end and to prevent the-nails from fiying into the machine as they are liable to do, I sometimes make this striker forked so as to embrace the nail.

To assist the operator in gaging the length of nail rod b to be thrust out beyond the end of the lever P, which must be just suflicient to make a nail, I have arranged a. gage (Z2, which is carried up opposite the end of the lever P, by the partial revolutionof the shaft U, in the direction of the arrow 7 in the following manner (the hammers 4M and N at this time being held open out of its way.) The gage l2 is attached f by a screw 24 to the end of a bent lever Z, which is pivoted at 25 to a metal standard e2, which rises in an inclined position from a plate which is secured to the bed A by a screw and slot at 26, and is regulated in position by a set screw 27, which bears against the end of the bed. This adjustment allows .me to regulate' the distance of the gage cl2 from the end o'f the lever P, and consequently the distance to which the nail rod will be thrust out. (If preferred the gage (Z2 may be adj usted on the end of the lever Z.) The lever Z passes through the stanchion O in an inclined slot g2. A hook h2 which is attached at 11 to the arm S, serves to vibrate the lever Z in the direction of the arrow 8 when the shaft U is Vrevolved in the direction of the arrow 7; while a spring 2 draws it down in the opposite direction when the motion of the shaft U is" reversed.

A spring Z2 attached to the pillar Q and to the lever P serves to bear this lever over against the roll g on the shaft T--and to vibrate it in a direction counter to the arrow 4, when the shaft T is revolved counter to the arrow 3. .I will here call attention to the fact that the sleeve C2 being loose on the shaft U permits this shaft to be revolved counterto the arrow 7, while the arm Z is still locked by the lever 71'; this is" necessary as the lever X is to be raised and the cutter y lifted out of the way of the hammers, and also the lever P is to be brought back to its central position, before the hammers are set free.` I will also explain, that the rod F is soformed with one `side of the notch 15 higher than the other, and the curved arm n, which guides its motions is allowed to fall just' so low, when the hand lever IV is released, and it is drawn down by the spring ;9-that `the pin 14 will clear the lower side of the notch 15, but will still be in the path of the shoulder 2 on the high side of the notch. The effect of this is that as t-he shaft C revolves, and the rod F is engaged with the pin 14 by the vibration of the lever IV in the direction of the arrow -the shaft U is carried a partial revolution in the direction of the arrow 7, and back again into its normal position or that shown in the drawings, where it is left by the rod F, which -is drawn away.

from the pin 14-by lthe spring gf-when the operator releases the lever IV.

Operation. The following is the operation of this machine. The shaft C being driven continuously in the direction of the arrow G-the rod F is moved to and fro by the eccentric c-the cams Z9 by their revolutions vibrate alternately the levers Gr and H--which striking the rods f g compress the springs k and open alternately each pair of hammers M or N, the springs 7a closing them with quick blows, as the levers Gr and H fall off from the shoulders of the cams 7). The operator standing at the left hand end of the machine as in Fig. 2, supplies the machine witha.. nail rod b', which has been previously .heated have forged or drawn down the body of the nail tothe required dimensions (the rod being of the size intendedfor the head), he draws the hand lever IV toward him in the direction of the arrow 5, this vibrates the shaft V and raises the curved arm a, this raises the` outer end of the rod F, which (when the shaft C has revolved far enough) engages with the pin 14 on the crank m, (the pin falling into the notch 15) and gives a partial revolution to the shaft U in the direction of the arrow 7, this carries the arm mzon the fast sleeve A2 against the end of the long Vconnection rod I and throws it in the direction of its arrow 1, vibrating the arm 79 on which it is hung;y this presses the end of the rod I against the lower ends of the levers G and I-I and causes their upper ends to force the rods f and g in a direction counter to the arrows 2. This motion of the rod I carries the arm Z on the loose sleeve C2 with it, and permits the bent lever` r to fall into the notch l-whereby the rod I is prevented from returning and the hammers M and N are held open as long as the lever 1" remains in the notch 16. This as before stated does not prevent the rod F from carrying the shaft U back into its normal position where it is left by it.. This movement of the shaft U in the direction of the arrow 7 has through the connections u e w given the same motion to the shaft B. This by the fast collar f has carried the roll g against the projecting part of the When the hammersy cam 10 on the lever P and vibrated this lever in the direction of the arrow 4, carrying the finished nail over the anvil or sta` tionary cutter z. When through the connections w as the lever X is vibrated and the cutter y cuts off the nail from the nail rod Z2. The return movement of the shaft U now restores the levers P and X to their normal positions; the spring Z2 bringing back the lever B. Zhen the rod I was thrown forward in the direction of its arrow l by the arm m2 it revolved by its connection with the'arm Z the loose sleeve C2; this through the arm i attached to the sleeve C2 and pitman L vibrated the arm S on the loose sleeve D2, raising the hook 71.2 and vibrating the lever Z in the direction of the arrow 8. By this movement of the lever Z` the gage Z2 was raised up between the hammers, and opposite to the end of the lever P. The operator now throws over the cam -lever c to free the nail rod Z)-pushes forward the rod against the gage cl2, which has been set to give the required length to the nail, presses down with his foot on the rod z, (as shown in Fig. 2,) vibrates the lever r and lifts its end out of the notch 16. This permits the arm Z to be vibrated by the rod I, which is moved in a direction counter to the arrow l by the springs .,Zc on the rods f and g, vibrating the levers G and I-I, leaving vthem again free to be operated by the cams Z). Before however the hammers have come together, the vibration of the arm Z has carried down the arm S and hook h2 and permitted the spring 2 to draw the gage Z2 down out of their way, the various movements being properly timed. The operation of forging a nail is then repeated.

In Fig. 5 is shown a modication of my plan o-f connecting the hammers with the power which actuates them, which I consider to be the entire equivalent of the one already described. In this case the connecting rods o are pivoted directly to the lever G, and the rods s are connected with an intermediate lever F2, which is actuated by the rods f and g in the stanchions K may be avoided. It'is' obvious that three or more hammers may be caused to lstrike simultaneously, also that other articles besides nails may be made in such a machine.l

That I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent isfl. Connecting each pair of hammers to a single lever or cross head, through which they arc operated, and by means of which, they may be made to strike simultaneously and through the center` of the nail rod.

2. In combination with the above, the connecting rods s and v and eye bolts 7 and u or their equivalents, operating as set forth for the purpose specified.

3. Interrupting the action of the hammers, while open, and holding theml open at the will of the operator for the purpose specified.

al. The rod I, in combination with the levers G and H, and with the hand lever W, and lever r, or their equivalents, whereby the hammers may be stopped and started at the will of the operator as set forth.

5. The gage Z2 which is brought into position to gage the nail rod, while the hammers are stationary, and is withdrawn out of their way, before they are again started, by devices acting by the power of themachine itself, but brought into act-ion by the operator as set forth.

6. The rod F, with its notch l5 and shoulder 2, in combination with the shaft U,

and the parts immediately connected therewith; whereby the nail rod,is always returned to its position, and the vcenter y is raised out of the way of the hammers, before they are started, as set forth.

SILAS S.. PUTNAM. IVitnesses Trios. R. ROACH,

P. E. TESCHEMACHER.

accurately around a line passing AIB 

